With the impending weather and heat/humidity, we have decided to move Warrior Night inside tonight. The cookout will begin at 5 p.m. and take place in the commons and introductions will begin at 6 p.m.

Cornfest 2013 is here! All Band students (incoming 8th - 12th graders) are expected to march in the parade.

On Saturday, July 13 we will meet for our annual Band Family Picnic. Percussionists and Color guard (including interested incoming 8th graders) should be there at noon. All other students and their families should be there at 1:00 pm. Please bring a dish to pass (see below for what to bring).

On Sunday, July 14 all performers meet at the Auburn Knights of Columbus Hall at 12:30 pm in full summer uniform. The parade begins at 1:00 and parents can pick up their students at approximately 2:00 pm at the Auburn Park.

This is a reminder that Commencement is today. All 9th - 11th grade band students are expected to participate in our performance at Graduation today as their exam grade. Students are expected to dress nicely and be ready to perform at 4:00 PM. I have been informed that today's ceremony will take place in the gym due to concerns about the weather. Students should be picked up at approximately 5:30 pm. Thank you and see you there!

Congratulations to Mick Klann (clarinet) and Becca Self (harp) for their invitations to participate in the 2013 Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band or Orchestra! This is one of the highest honors in the high school music world! Awesome job!

Students are selected based on their proficiency scores at State Solo & Ensemble Festival.

The High School Band will be marching in the Annual Bay City St. Patrick's Day Parade this Sunday, March 17. Students should arrive in uniform with raincoats at the Temple Israel on the corner of Center and Green at 1:30 PM. The parade begins at 2:00 PM. The WHS Band will be #44 in the parade. Hopefully this means that we will be finishing the parade around 3:15 PM. Parents must pick up their students at the end of the parade. The parade ends at the corner of Water and Center, but it is recommended that parents arrange to meet their students a few blocks from there as traffic is thick at that point (the F. P. Horak parking lot is a good spot). The Band Trailer will be available at the end of the parade to take only percussion equipment and sousaphones. All other students should plan to take their instrument home.

The band room will NOT be open on Sunday. Also - despite the weather, we will be marching unless they cancel the whole parade (which never happens). Bring your raincoat! You can wear anything you like under your uniform to keep warm - just as long as we can not see it!

Registration for Band Camp 2013 is open. Students in 8th - 11th grade received a registration packet (which can also be downloaded here). Registration with payment is due by March 22, 2013. Get your registration in soon!

Congratulations to all the band students of Bay City Western High School and Middle School for their terrific performances at MSBOA District 5 Band & Orchestra Festival on March 1 & 2, 2013.

The Seventh Grade Band earned an overall Division I rating. The Eighth Grade Band earned and overall Division II rating. Both the High School Concert Band and Symphonic Band earned Division I ratings, with the Symphonic Band earning 'straight I's' for the ninth consecutive year. Since 2001, the High School Bands have earned Division I ratings every year except in 2003.

The High School Concert and Symphonic Band have special afternoon/evening rehearsals on Thursday, February 28 and adjusted exam schedules on March1. Also Band Festival Performances on March 1. Clik the 'read more' link for the entire schedule for the two days.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the events from Western that performed at MSBOA District Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Owosso High School. This year, we sent a record number of events and all of you represented your school with class and excellent performances! Thank you for your preparation and dedication. I am proud to be your director!

State Solo & Ensemble Festival is an option for any event that acheived a Division One rating on their district event. State S&E will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2013. I am not sure about the location yet and will update this story when I have the details. State Solo & Ensemble takes place at Okemos High School. Students that wish to register for state must do so BY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013. When I have the location nailed down, I will post a document that you can download and use to register. You must decide quickly!

Band Festival will take place at Bay City Western on Friday, March 1 and Saturday March 2, 2013.

The Western Bands will perform at the following dates and times:

Seventh Grade Band: Friday, March , 2013 at 4:00 pm

Eighth Grade Band: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 1:15 pm

HS Concert Band: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm

HS Symphonic Band: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 9:00 pm

Exact arrival and warmup times will be communicated at a later time, but students should plan to arrive approximately one hour before their performance time and they will be dismissed approximately one hour after their performance time.